DELIVERED FROM EVIL

By

Billy Joe Daugherty

Contents

1    The Will of God

2    Why Does Evil Come to Christians?

3    Redeemed From the Curse

4    No Evil Shall Befall You

5    Preserved From All Evil

6    No Weapon Will Prosper Against You

7    Your Part to Be Delivered From Evil

Personal Prayer of Commitment

1

The Will of God

It is the will of God for you to be delivered from evil. To know and believe in the goodness of God is half the battle to be delivered from evil.

The scripture says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." (Hosea 4:6). If you don't know it is God's will to deliver you from evil, you will not release your faith for it. Since faith is based on God's Word, you must have knowledge of the Word regarding evil to stand strong against it. Otherwise, the devil—the author of all evil—will run over you in every area of your life.

James 1:17 (KJV) says:

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

John 10:10 clearly identifies the nature of the devil as opposed to the nature of God.

The thief [Satan] does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I [Jesus Christ] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

The evil you have experienced in your life has come from the devil. God's will for you is good. It is His will that you be delivered from all evil.

JESUS REVEALED IT

Jesus' prayer for His disciples is His prayer for you. "I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one" (John 17:15, AMP). Although you live in a world with evil in it, Jesus prayed you would be delivered from the evil.

Believe it! God has not changed His will. The prayer of Jesus is still effective today for all disciples. He specifically stated He was not talking about heaven, but rather about our presence in the earth now. It is His desire for you to be protected from Satan.

In what we call the Lord's Prayer, Jesus taught His disciples to pray that they would be delivered from evil. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (Matthew 6:13, KJV). Why would He tell them to pray to be protected from evil if it was not His will? Obviously, it is Jesus' express will that your life be filled with Kingdom blessings rather than the enemy's attacks.

WHAT KIND OF EVIL?

God wants you delivered from all evil. Sin, sickness, accidents, criminals, fear and bondage each represents various forms of evil. If it is evil, God wants you free from it.

One of the errors people have believed is that a little evil can sometimes teach you about life. Remember, everything in the garden was good. God did not want Adam and Eve to even know about evil. They were instructed not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). To eat it meant death.

If God wanted various forms of evil to perfect your Christian character, He would have put them in the garden and told Adam to experience them. Instead, everything was good. The tree that bore fruit giving the knowledge of both good and evil was forbidden. Until their sin, Adam and Eve knew only good. That is God's will for you.

In the very beginning there was no evil; Jesus brought no evil when He came into the earth; it is God's will that you live without evil in your life— whether it's evil in your body, mind, spirit, family, finances, or any other area; and there will be no evil in heaven.

God's will for man always has been and always will be good. Evil has never been a part of His plan for your past, present, or future!

Psalm 23 is a wonderful revelation of God's love for you.

The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.

He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.

He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake.

Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, you anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.

Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

Psalm 23, AMP.

2

Why Does Evil Come to Christians?

The devil's plan is to steal, kill and destroy. As a Christian, you are in direct opposition to the desire of Satan.

From John 10:10, you can readily see that God is on one side (the side of good), and the devil is on the other (the side of evil). When you don't believe and act on God's Word, Satan will continue to barrage you with attempts to bring evil in many forms into your life.

The great misconception about evil is that it produces good. For each person who says something good has come out of an evil thing, you can find many others who say something more evil has come out of it. One person turns to the Lord as the result of an evil situation, while others turn away from God, become hardened and turn to drugs, alcohol and immorality. If evil things automatically produced good, then we would see good all over the world and there would not be any more evil.

The good that comes out of an evil situation does not come from the evil. It comes from God through repentance, faith and prayer.

First Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In everything give thanks.... " It doesn't say to give thanks for everything. But in everything you can give thanks because God hasn't changed. What He has done for others, He will do for you.

The Word of God is your Handbook of "how to" overcome evil. Your faith—believing and speaking God's Word—can only go as far as your knowledge of the Word.

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21, KJV

3

Redeemed From the Curse

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us....

Galatians 3:13

Deuteronomy 28 describes the curse of the law, which includes the evil things that happen when people disobey God.

Jesus Christ, through His shed blood at Calvary, paid for our failures and sins. When we trust in Him, we can receive forgiveness and the removal of the curse from our lives.

If you have done evil in your past, that doesn't mean you have to reap all the bad seed that you have sown. When the resurrection takes place inside of you—when Jesus Christ comes alive in you and you are born again—bad seed you have planted in the past can be rooted up. You become brand new, and old things pass away (2 Corinthians 5:17). Thank God for His mercy!

There is power in God to be set free from the things that have happened to you in the past. In Christ, you are redeemed from the curse, which includes poverty, sickness and spiritual death.

4

No Evil Shall Befall You

There is a place of divine protection in God where no evil can touch you. The psalmist said it was for those who would dwell in the secret place of the Most High God. You can declare:

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust"

Psalm 91:1,2

The devil can't reach you when you are in the secret place—abiding in the Word, spending time in prayer and in fellowship with the Lord, building a relationship with Him and declaring your position of protection in Christ.

Being under the shadow of the Almighty is like an eagle covering an eaglet with its wings. No one is going to come close to that little eagle, because he is under the shadow of his almighty parent! So are we!

Just as a natural parent doesn't want his child to experience evil, it is the will of our loving heavenly Father that His children experience no evil.

It is a revelation that God protects and delivers those who put their trust in the Lord. You have this promise today...

Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place,

There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.

Psalm 91:9,10, AMP.

NO EVIL—NO EVIL—NO EVIL

Clearly, God is saying that this place of intimate fellowship is one of divine protection.

The angels are commissioned to guard and protect you every day.

This promise is conditional. You must live in God's presence through faith in His Word and fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 91:2 says, "I will say of the Lord...." You must speak your faith. Declare out loud right now, "Lord, You are my refuge and my fortress. You are my God. In You I trust."

Let these words be on your lips every time you think about it. Start by deliberately speaking them in obedience to the psalmist's command.

ANGELS DELIVER

For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].

They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

Psalm 91:11,12, AMP.

Psalm 34:7 says:

The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.

The angels are sent to protect and deliver you. They hearken to the command of God's Word (Psalm 103:20). As you speak the Word, the angels are released to perform it.

Angels are "...ministering spirits (servants) sent out in the service [of God for the assistance] of those who are to inherit salvation" (Hebrews 1:14, AMP.). They are on assignment for your benefit. Watch your words. Angels move when God's Word is spoken in faith.

DELIVERANCE FROM ALL EVIL IS ASSURED!

When your heart is set on Jesus and He is your first love, your deliverance from all evil is assured, for the Spirit of God said through the psalmist:

Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness—trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no never].

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.

Psalm 91:14-16, AMP.

The term salvation encompasses the areas of deliverance, forgiveness, preservation, safety, healing and soundness. In Christ, your protection and deliverance from all evil are assured! That's good news!

5

Preserved From All Evil

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil....

Psalm 121:7

The promises of God are alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). Through faith and patience, you will possess the promises. Not only must you start believing, but you must continue to believe.

Faith is released as you believe, speak and act upon the Word of God. The psalmist declared:

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

...He shall preserve your soul.

The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.

Psalm 121:2,7,8

The word preserve means "to keep you from all harm." To guard, protect and deliver is God's will for you.

THE LORD IS FAITHFUL Paul asked for prayer to be delivered from evil.

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified, just as it is with you,

And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-3

Surely the Apostle Paul knew God's will. He specifically asked for prayer to be delivered from evil people.

Yes, there is evil in the world. You cannot deny the existence of evil or the fact that evil tries to come against people. The psalmist put it this way:

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Psalm 34:19

Don't get your mind focused on the afflictions or difficulties, but rather focus on the deliverance.

Jesus said:

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

The Lord is faithful to help you in the face of any attack. Jesus said you could have peace and joy because He has overcome all the power of the world.

THE LORD DELIVERED ME

It is true that Paul said, "...All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution"

(2 Timothy 3:12, KJV).

Paul described the persecutions and God's deliverance right before verse 12.

Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

2 Timothy 3:11, KJV

"OUT OF THEM ALL THE LORD DELIVERED ME"

This great apostle did not hide the difficulties he faced, yet he acknowledged God delivered him out of them all. This should help you get a clear understanding that God did not send the persecution or affliction. Or else, why would God deliver him from them?

DELIVERED FROM THE EVILS OF THIS PRESENTAGE

Galatians 1:4 says:

Who [Jesus Christ] gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.

It is God's will that you be delivered from the evils of this present world, which include sin, wickedness, torment in the mind, muggers, thieves, accidents, sickness, poverty and lack. Could the Kingdom of God be blessed more if you were free from evil things rather than being entangled with them?

God means for you, as His child, to experience His blessings without sorrow.

The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it

Proverbs 10:22

GOD'S PERSPECTIVE OF YOU: ALREADY DELIVERED!

As a child of God, scripture says you have already been delivered from the power of darkness and have been translated into the Kingdom of light.

Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.

Colossians 1:12,13

You need to get a vision of yourself from God's perspective: you are already delivered from every evil work! Begin to take hold of this truth, and your circumstances will change!

6

No Weapon Will Prosper Against You

God promises those who trust Him a divine protection from evil plots. If you make Jesus your righteousness...

"No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me," says the Lord.

Isaiah 54:17

God gives you His righteousness through faith in the work of Jesus Christ. That means an attack against you is considered an attack against God. You are a child of your heavenly Father, and He says:

... I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children.

Isaiah 49:25

God told Joshua:

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.

Joshua 1:5

God is just as committed to you as He was to Joshua. What He promised to him is valid for you today if you are doing God's will. He wants you to succeed for His glory.

As the nation of Israel left Egypt, God promised:

But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the Lord does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.

Exodus 11:7

He promised:

The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.

Exodus 14:14

Scripture reveals:

He permitted no one to do them wrong; yes, He reproved kings for their sakes,

Saying, "Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm."

Psalm 105:14,15

If God did all this for the people of Israel under the old covenant, how much more will He do for you as a child of God under the new covenant?

According to The Living Bible, your covenant blessings include:

...Blessings in the city, blessings in the field; many children, ample crops, large flocks and herds; blessings of fruit and bread; blessings when you come in, blessings when you go out.

The Lord will defeat your enemies before you; they will march out together against you but scatter before you in seven directions!

Deuteronomy 28:2-8, TLB

Additional blessings listed in verses 9-13 include: You will prosper in everything you do; He will change you into a holy people dedicated to Himself; He will bless everything you do; you will lend and not borrow; you will be the head and not the tail; and "...you will always have the upper hand!" Hallelujah!

7

Your Part to Be Delivered From Evil

Even though it is God's will for you to be delivered, you must act on the commands of God to see it happen. This explains to a degree why some have not been delivered from evil. It is possible to be strong in faith for one provision of God, yet weak or void in faith for other things.

The message I am writing you is not to condemn or judge anyone. Don't allow condemnation to come on you for things that have happened. Take the Word you are receiving and put it into practice from this point on.

SUBMIT TO GOD—RESIST THE DEVIL

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7, KJV

You can only have God's authority when you are under His authority. Before resisting the devil, make sure you are doing what God has told you to do. Obedience to His commands is prerequisite to walking in dominion.

Armed with God's authority, you can resist the devil, and he will flee. Resist means "to stand firm against." Don't allow his thoughts, feelings, or works. Refuse the lies of the enemy with all of your being.

SPEAK GOD’S WORD Jesus resisted the devil with:

...It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."

...It is written again, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God."

...Away with you, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve."

Matthew 4:4,7,10

Jesus left you an example on how to resist the devil. Your weapon against the enemy is the spoken Word of God. Say the scripture out loud against evil thoughts and temptations.

GOD MAKES A WAY OF ESCAPE

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

There is a way of escape for you from every evil temptation. Look for it. Expect it. The enemy cannot bring anything that is not common to human experience. He cannot tempt you beyond your ability to resist.

The devil cannot make you do evil without your consent. God will give you His power to withstand as you look to Him in faith. Evil cannot trap you, for God makes a way of escape every time.

There is a word from God for every trial, struggle, problem and challenge you face. Jesus has made provision for all you need spiritually, mentally, physically, financially and every other way. Through believing and speaking the promises, you can escape the evil that is in the world.

...His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Peter 1:3,4

When you speak the Word aloud, believing it in your heart, you raise up a standard against evil, keeping it from your life.

Putting on the whole armor of God each day will enable you to stand against the wicked plots and schemes of the devil.

The armor includes:

•    The breastplate of righteousness.

•    The preparation of the Gospel of peace.

•    The shield of faith.

•    The helmet of salvation.

•    The sword of the Spirit.

•    Praying with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit (See Ephesians 6:10-18).

KEEP YOURSELF

Keep yourself under the shadow of the Almighty in fellowship, in speaking God's Word with authority, in prayer, praise and worship, in joy, in using the name of Jesus, the blood of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit. First John 5:18 says:

We know that whoever is born of

God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.

As you release your faith—believing and confessing God's Word—staying in the secret place under the shadow of the Almighty, God actually does the keeping.

Psalm 8:2 says, "Out of the mouth of babes and infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger." God gives you strength when you praise Him. Nehemiah 8:10 says, "...For the joy of the Lord is your strength."

In 2 Chronicles 20:22 (KJV), ambushments were sent against the enemy when the Israelites began to praise the Lord.

And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

The ambushments were angels who came on the scene in response to the praise. They fought the enemy for the Israelites; then the enemy turned against themselves, bringing a fulfillment of the word of the Lord that Jahaziel had spoken to Jehoshaphat:

...Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

Tomorrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you,

O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.

2 Chronicles 20:15-17, KJV

Praise unto God from your lips will still the enemy and the avenger.

It's time for you to rise up on the inside and not allow evil to run over your life in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He has equipped you to overcome all evil.

Personal Prayer of Commitment

Father, today is a new day in my life, because I choose to submit to You by accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I believe He is Your Son and that He was crucified, buried, resurrected and ascended to Your Throne.

Lord Jesus, I renounce every work of darkness, and I receive You now as my Lord and Savior. Empower me with the Holy Spirit for my new life in You.

I will daily fill myself with Your Word, Lord, so I can expand the measure of faith You have given me. I will believe and speak Your Word rather than the circumstances. Your Word and Your Spirit will deliver me.

I will daily put on the whole armor of God so I am ready to fight in Your army as a good soldier, Lord Jesus. I will put on the breastplate of righteousness, the preparation of the Gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit and prayer to withstand all evil.

I will keep myself under the shadow of the Almighty with prayer, praise and worship, fellowship with You, Lord, and with other believers, using Your name, Your Spirit and Your blood against the devil.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that I am a new creation in You! Old things have passed away, and all things have become new. In You, Lord, evil no longer has any dominion over me! Hallelujah!

(Signature) ________

(Date) ________

BILLY JOE DAUGHERTY is founder and pastor of Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Victory has a Christian school, Bible Institute and Missions Training Center. Other Victory outreaches include taking the gospel via radio and television to North America, along with shortwave radio and television to other nations, plus the distribution of books, tapes, and videos. He and his wife, Sharon, minister God’s healing, saving, and delivering power as a team. Their family works alongside them in the ministry.

Table of Contents

1 The Will of God

2 Why Does Evil Come to Christians?

3 Redeemed From the Curse

4 No Evil Shall Befall You

5 Preserved From All Evil

6 No Weapon Will Prosper Against You

7 Your Part to Be Delivered From Evil

Personal Prayer of Commitment